Our Police K9 Handler Training Courses Create Confident Street Ready K9 Teams!

police k9 handler training

We Offer First Class Police K9 Handler Training

We understand that having a well trained police K9 is only half of the equation.  Well trained police K9 handlers are a critical element to gaining the most from K9 teams.  At Highland Canine Training, LLC we focus on realistic, scenario based police K9 handler training. We understand that it is necessary for each team to be prepared for real-life situations in the field. During our K9 handler training courses and seminars we place our dog teams in life-like situations in order to test the skills of both the K9 handler and dog as a team. We strive to deliver the most realistic police k9 handler training available today.

Scenario-based police K9 handler training is quite different than most other police dog training that is typically conducted. Scenario based training is just that; a real-life scenario where the handler is required to make judgments and decisions based on the facts and circumstances given to him and to direct his canine partner to respond appropriately. This training does not take place on a trial or training field, but in a realistic environment where police K9 teams work every day.

Our Police K9 handler Courses at a glance...

Effective K9 Classroom Instruction

Understanding canine learning theory, operant conditioning, and odor theory are just some of the topics that we have found to be critical in building great K9 teams.  Our Police K9 Handler Courses include a variety of engaging lectures taught by K9 subject matter experts.

K9 First Aid, CPR & Care

police k9 handler first aid cpr class

A police dog is a big investment for agencies and as such, it is extremely important for handlers to know how to properly care for them. Our Police K9 handler Courses teach handlers how to properly care for their partner, day-to-day as well as in the event of an emergency or traumatic event.

Expert Field Instruction

police k9 handler field instruction

Real-time field instruction and feedback is vital to creating effective K9 teams.  Our Police K9 handler Courses offer handlers useful critique, from experts who have operational experience, with each exercise so that they can improve on their handling and decision making abilities.

Courtroom K9 Training

Effectively deploying a police dog in the field is only half the battle.  Our Police K9 Handler Courses provide in-depth instruction and practical exercises on Canine Case Law, Record Keeping and Report Writing as well as K9 Courtroom Survival.

Environmental K9 Team Exposure

K9 teams must be capable of effectively operating in a variety of demanding field environments.  Our Police K9 Handler Courses require teams to work in a variety of challenging, real-world environments which not only improves effectiveness but instills confidence in new teams.

Emphasis on K9 Tactics

We understand that handlers can often face dangerous challenges in the field.  However, we also realize that sound and fundamental officer safety tactics should always be employed when working with a police dog.  Our courses teach and emphasize officer safety with police K9 teams.

What Our Clients Say...

"Extremely knowledgeable trainers, this course prepared me to be a confident K9 handler"
lance martin ouichita sheriffs office la
Lance Martin
Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office
"Great instruction, great people! They made sure I learned my dog the way I needed to be ready for the street.”
logan vitatoe harriman police tennessee
Logan Vitatoe
Harriman Police Department
"This is the best law enforcement training class I’ve ever been to. It was such a great experience."
ryan blizzard pilot mountain police nc
Ryan Blizzard
Pilot Mountain Police Department

Police K9 Handler Training Courses

Our training methods are innovative and up-to-date and we teach handlers not only how to effectively handle their police dog, but we ensure they have a solid comprehension of how the dog was trained. This affords the handler necessary fundamentals for problem solving the police K9 in the field. This is important to ensure that proper training methods are maintained and that the police k9 team improves their skills in both training and field operations.  We have developed training systems for police K9 handlers that ensure they are comfortable with their dog and that they have the utmost trust in their K9 partner.

Inclusive Police K9 Handler Courses

police k9 handler training course

Police K9 handler training courses can be customized to fit departmental needs and are taught by current and former law enforcement handlers. The course includes practical exercises and lecture on topics such as Basic and Advanced Obedience, Record Keeping and Report Writing, Tactical Building Searches, Proper Decoy Techniques, Channeling the Police Dog through Drive, Felony Vehicle Stops / High Risk Apprehensions, Tactical Tracking / Trailing, Establishing an Effective Perimeter for Patrol, Conducting Proper Demonstrations, Canine Case Law, K9 Care and Maintenance, K9 First Aid, and more.

Expert K9 Handler Training

police dog handler course

As former police officers, police K9 instructors, K9 handlers and police K9 supervisors, our instructors understand how to present information in a way that is concise and easy for police K9 handlers to apply in the field. Literature and handouts are provided for all police K9 handler course content. Included with the price of the dog is a comprehensive four week police K9 handler course to fully integrate the dog and handler before putting them on the street. Free in-service training and problem solving sessions are included with all of our Police K9 packages for the life of the dog.  We also offer annual re-certification, at no cost with any Police K9 purchase.

K9 Reteam Training

K9 reteam training courses

It is inevitable that a department will have a K9 handler leave the agency and the department is left with a trained police dog.  We offer police k9 handler courses for departments and agencies that wish to pair a new handler with an existing police dog.

We offer 3-week courses for single purpose detection dogs and a 4-week courses for dual purpose dogs.  All course materials and housing are included as well. We also offer free in-service training and annual re-certification for those departments taking advantage of our K9 reteam training.

 

Detection Dog Handler Training

Training for the detection dog handler is likely the most important aspect of developing an effective Police K9 detection dog team. It is important for detection dog handlers to understand the concepts and fundamentals of both training and handling detection dogs in order to be productive and successful in the field. Therefore, we stress the importance of these fundamental skills during any of our detection k9 handler training courses. The K9 handler’s ability to manage the dog effectively as well as their ability to recognize a change in breathing, a change in behavior, and final indication on target odor is critically important. Learning to handle any type of detection dog can be frustrating and challenging for the novice K9 handler, but is something that must be done seamlessly in order to be successful. Our courses present this information in a way that is simple and easy for handlers to understand and apply while working the dog, even in demanding field environments.

Maintaining the detection dog’s training correctly is as important as the initial training. At Highland Canine Training, LLC we ensure that each handler understands how to properly maintain the dog’s training for life. We demonstrate complex detection scenarios and discuss the importance of proofing the dog and ensuring that they ignore confounds and other odors that are commonly placed as distractions and masking odors. We ensure that handlers understand how to properly resolve issues with large or small quantities, deep hides, and elevated hides.

Included with the cost of any detection dog is a comprehensive three-week detection k9 handler training course to fully integrate the dog and handler before putting them on the street. This course includes practical exercises as well as lecture on Record Keeping and Report Writing, Scent Theory and Basic Detection, Advanced Detection and Interdiction Methods, and many other topics. This course also covers Canine Case Law and proper courtroom testimony to ensure proper prosecution in court. We also discuss 4th amendment issues and how they impact detection dog handlers. Literature and handouts are provided for all course content. All working dog packages include free in-service training and problem solving sessions, annual re-certification and housing at our facility.

Specialized Detection K9 Handler Training

We offer specialized K9 handler training courses that are designed to pair the handler and dog and train them together from start to finish. These courses allow for the dog and handler to develop together in a way that creates a solid, well-trained team upon departing from the course.

Basic Narcotics Detection Dog Handler Course

drug detection dog course

Our Basic Narcotics Detection Dog Handler Course is a comprehensive course taught by current and former law enforcement K9 handlers and supervisors that teaches beginner handlers all they need to know to be productive and effective in the field. This course is designed to train the Detection Dog handler alongside their assigned drug detection dog. This course takes both the handler and dog through all the phases of narcotics detection dog training, including obedience, imprinting, teaching the alert as well as all of the basic skills training for drug detection dog teams. Listed below are some of the topics covered during our Basic Narcotics Detection Dog Handler Course:

Basic Odor Theory
Proper Handling Techniques
Recognizing Narcotics
Record Keeping & Report Writing
Canine First Aid & CPR
Proper Detection Training Aid Handling and Storage
Practical Agility for Drug Dog Teams

Course Length – 10-12 weeks

Basic Narcotics Detection Dog Handler Course

advanced k9 drug detection course

Our Advanced Narcotics Detection Dog Handler Course is an inclusive course instructed by current and former law enforcement K9 handlers and supervisors that teaches handlers more advanced skills that are important for Drug Detection Dog Teams. This course is designed for more experienced handlers and can be customized to assist them in honing their existing skills. Listed below are just some of the topics covered during our Advanced Narcotics Detection Dog Handler Course:

Advanced Drug Dog Handling Skills
Recognizing Narcotics
Advanced Detection & Interdiction Methods
Off-leash Control for the Drug Dog Team
Buried Hide Searches
Managing Complex Detection Problems
Dealing with Large, Deep and High Hides
Parcel Interdiction for the Drug Dog Team
K9 Courtroom Survival

Course Length – 6-8 weeks

Basic Explosive Detection Dog Handler Course

explosives k9 detection course

Our Basic Explosive Detection Dog Handler Course is a comprehensive course taught by current and former law enforcement K9 handlers and supervisors that teaches beginner handlers all they need to know to be safe and effective in the field. This course is designed to train the Explosive Detection K9 handler alongside their assigned detection dog. This course takes both the K9 handler and dog through all the phases of explosives detection dog training, including obedience, imprinting, teaching the alert as well as all of the basic skills training for explosive detection dog teams. Listed below are some of the topics covered during our Basic Explosives Detection Dog Handler Training Course:

Basic Odor Theory
Proper Handling Techniques
Recognizing Explosives and IED’s
Record Keeping & Report Writing
Canine First Aid & CPR
Proper Detection Training Aid Handling and Storage
Practical Agility for EDD Teams

Course Length – 10-12 weeks

Advanced Explosive Dog Handler Course

advanced k9 explosives detection course

Our Advanced Explosive Detection Dog Handler Course is an inclusive course instructed by current and former law enforcement K9 handlers and supervisors that teaches handlers more advanced skills that are important for Explosives Detection Dog Teams. This course is designed for more experienced handlers and can be customized to assist them in honing their existing skills. Listed below are just some of the topics covered during our Advanced Explosives Detection Dog Handler Course:

Advanced EDD Handling Skills
Recognizing Explosives and IED’s
Effective EDD Roadway Clearing
Directional Control for the EDD Team
Large Area Searches
Managing Complex Detection Problems
Dealing with Large, Deep and High Hides
Parcel Interdiction for the EDD Team
Advanced Detection & Interdiction

Course Length – 6-8 weeks